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Veverka's Mantis Shrimp
 Size 4 with 1/8" Dumbell Eyes This pattern is a tough one to find tying instructions for! Although this is a guides favorite throughout the Bahamas I have not seen a good picture of one to date. It seems that the majority of guides and bonefishing destination lodges in the Bahamas list this fly as one you should have in your box. I have my spies out trying to steal one from a reputable guide. If we get one I'll put it up here and share with you. I've Googled and Yahood and have come up with a couple of links, and a picture of a rather skinny, expensive, and sickly looking 6 legged fly from Umpqua. One helpful link was a discussion thread from Reel Time forum which purported the actual tying instructions emailed from Bob Veverka. It sounded right but lists adding only 2 sets of rubber legs, however I have an email from Bob confrming that the pattern should have 3 sets of legs, so add on one more set and you'll have the actual pattern nailed! I have duplicated the pattern from the emailed instructions and my rendition of the pattern is shown above ( it's missing a couple of legs). There are many slight variations that can enhance the effectiveness of this pattern depending on your particular fishing conditions. The hook size, the thickness of the dubbing, the size of the dumbell or beadchain eyes, and even how you tie in the rubber legs. The picture below is a smaller version of Ververka's mantis shrimp. I opted not to tie in the burnt mono eyes, used 1/8" beadchain eyes, and swept the rubber legs forward (toward the business end of the fly).  Instructions | Hook | Mustad 34007 (4,6,8) | | Thread | Tan Monocord | | Tail | Tan Craft Fur | | Flash | Pearl or Tan Krystal Flash | | Legs | Tan Round Rubber Legs | | Tail Topper | Red Fox or Tan Rabbit | | Eyes | Small Dumbell or Beadchain | | Body | Tan Dubbing |
Here We Go! | STEP 1 Tie in dumbell or beadchain eyes |  | STEP 2 Tie tan craft fur in directly behind the eyes add 5 strands Krystal flash on top and wind thread back to bend of hook as shown |  | STEP 3 Tie in a bunch of tan rabbit fur (or equivalent substitue fur)1/3 the length of the craft fur tail. I use red fox tail in this pattern. | Photo not available OOPS | STEP 4 Dub in a ball of tan dubbing at the tail and if you want a thicker bodied fly prepare a dubbing loop The ball of dubbing was not spcified in the recipe, I like it because it flares the burnt mono eyes, and has a more finished look. |  | STEP 5 Tie in burnt mono eyes. I use 20# mono. Flatten the butt end of the mono before tying in. A pair of pliers, will do the trick. This will make the material behave for you and make placement and tie-in easier. |  | STEP 6 Add rubber legs, attach using criss cross technique. Shown with 2 sets of legs, (actual pattern is 3 sets). Thanks Bob! (dubbing loop is visible flowing backward) |  | STEP 7 Add tan craft fur to dubbing loop (optional), or dub some tan dubbing onto your thread and spin until you have a nice tight dubbing. Wind at least 2 turns in front of 1st set of legs, 2 between the legs and then work your way back to the eye of the hook |  | STEP 8 Use a dubbing comb to tease out as much fur as possible. This fuzzy looking thing needs a trim! |  | STEP 8 Trim top and bottom, and you are done!!! |  |
Finished product....this is a size 6 without the mono eyes and using a simple dubbed body (no dubbing loop). This pattern is a killer on the flats! | |
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